The California Tribal Water Summit Planning Team, in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), is convening a statewide California Tribal Water Summit
on November 4 and 5 at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento. The Tribal Water Summit Planning Team consists of over 30 tribal leaders and members and staff, as well as representatives from state agencies, and together we are designing and hosting the Summit. The theme of the Summit is "Protect Our Sacred Water." The Summit will provide an opportunity for the highest Tribal and State government officials to explore common interests, discuss policy issues, identify solutions, and promote dialogue among agencies and programs responsible for water resources management in California. A desired outcome is a "roadmap" with strategies for preserving Native water rights and providing for the sustainable management of California's sacred waters.

A new book devoted to Tribal Water Stories is now available for downloading. The book educates people throughout California about the essential connections between California Native American Tribes and water.

Overnight Accommodations:A discounted group rate of $84 plus tax is being offered at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento until October 15, 2009 or based on availability. To receive the discounted group rate, please call the hotel directly at 800.333.3333 or 916. 922.2020 and mention you are attending the California Tribal Water Summit 2009. If you encounter any difficulties please contact Judie Talbot, with the Center for Collaborative Policy, at 775.720.0214 or talbot.judie@gmail.com Check-in at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento is 4:00pm and check-out is at 12:00pm.

3) Registration and Scholarships

Registration is free and includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and a dinner! However space is limited, so please reserve your spot today! Registration is required and based on availability. In the event that the venue's maximum capacity is reached, Tribal chairpersons and council members will be given priority.
To register (or to register and apply for a scholarship to attend) please visit the Summit registration website : http://www.cce.csus.edu/ctws09 and click on the Register tab in the left-hand column.

4) Summit Briefing Papers and Position Papers

The Briefing Papers are intended to provide a foundation for discussions at the Summit. They are intended to describe Tribal water issues in California from a Native perspective. They are not intended to propose or recommend solutions, but rather to spark discussion and encourage participating Tribes to develop Position Papers for the Summit.

The Position Papers are where Tribes are invited to express their individual perspective and position on Tribal water issues, including solutions and ways of addressing these issues. All California Native American Tribes are invited to submit Position Papers in advance of the Summit to Chairman Ron Goode, North Fork Mono Tribe, 13396 Tollhouse Road, Clovis, CA 93619-9703 or by email at eagleeye@cvip.net or to Barbara Cross, Government and Community Liaison, Office of the Director, California Department of Water Resources, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236-0001 or by email at bcross@water.ca.gov

Please click on the following links to download the briefing papers currently available:

The Summit is the result of a collaborative effort between California Native American Tribes, California State Agencies, the Federal Government, and Tribal and non-Tribal organizations. We still need your help! Contributions to the Summit will help make it possible for more Tribes to participate. Please click on the following link to make a donation: Donation Form (.pdf, 890 kb).

The Planning Team is proud to identify the following sponsors of the 2009 California Tribal Water Summit:

California Department of Water Resources - Mountain Sponsor

Morongo Band of Mission Indians - Salmon Sponsor

Seventh Generation Fund - Salmon Sponsor

Sierra Nevada Conservancy - Salmon Sponsor

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - Salmon Sponsor

Pala Band of Mission Indians - Acorn Sponsor

Tubatulabals of Kern Valley - Acorn Sponsor

Redding Rancheria - Acorn Sponsor

Sempra Energy Utilities - Acorn Sponsor

Ione Bank of Miwok Indians - Acorn Sponsor

US Bureau of Reclamation - Acorn Sponsor

Laguna Resource Services, Inc. - Acorn Sponsor

A Mountain Sponsor has contributed $20,000 or more to the Summit, Eagle is $10,000 to $19,999, Salmon is $5,000 to $9,999, and Acorn is $1,000 to $4,999)

In addition, the following Tribes and Tribal Organizations have expressed their support:

Shasta Indian Nation

Suscol Intertribal Council

Inter-Tribal Council of California

Davis-King & Associates Heritage Resources Management is providing Summit attendees with a metal water bottle to remind people to think about where water comes from, why we should avoid plastic bottles, and to provide a clean and healthy alternative to drinking water containers.

6) Tribal Water Stories

The Planning Team initiated a Tribal Water Stories project in 2008. The purpose of the project is to provide all California Native American Tribes with an opportunity to tell a story about how they have been connected with water in the past and continue to be connected with water in the present. The Planning Team invites you to submit a story for your Tribe, Tribal community, Tribal organization, or yourself as a Tribal person as soon as possible. The stories will be part of a dedicated exhibit at the Summit, and also be the focus of the evening banquet on November 4, 2009. The shape and content of the story are entirely up to you. Five examples are available for download here, along with the original invitation letter that went out in 2008. All stories will also be included as part of the Summit proceedings and part of the California Water Plan Update 2009, and help to educate thousands of State agency officials, water district managers, non-profit organizers, and members of the public throughout California.

Please submit in advance your story to Chairman Ron Goode, North Fork Mono Tribe, 13396 Tollhouse Road, Clovis, CA 93619-9703 or by email at eagleeye@cvip.net or to Barbara Cross, Government and Community Liaison, Office of the Director, California Department of Water Resources, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236-0001 or by email at bcross@water.ca.gov . If it is not possible to submit the story in advance, you are welcome to bring them to the Summit on November 4-5, or mail them as soon as possible. They will be included with the proceedings of the Summit.

Due to their duration (each video is over 6 hours), videos are considerably compressed to allow for online streaming. Also due to duration, a menu for navigating to specific parts of the video is not available; however, you can pause the video to take a break, and then start from that point later on.